Interior Assistant Secretary P. Lynn Scarlett To Present Preserve America Community Designations At Public Events in Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Office of the Secretary	Contact:
Media Advisory June 24, 2004	Joan Moody (202) 208-3280 Sue Andrews (401)762-0250

Interior Assistant Secretary P. Lynn Scarlett To Present Preserve America Community Designations At Public Events in Massachusetts and Rhode Island

BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY, Mass. & R.I. - On June 25, 2004, on behalf of Mrs. Laura Bush, Assistant Secretary P. Lynn Scarlett will designate 24 cities and towns in Massachusetts and Rhode Island as Preserve America Communities. Situated along the "John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor," the communities had collaborated to apply jointly for the recognition as Preserve America Communities.

Scarlett, who is Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management and Budget, will be participating in a series of events in the Blackstone Valley to which the media and public are invited. Throughout the day's events, each of the community's key leaders will be presented with the Preserve America designations. The event locations are key sites in the Blackstone Valley, representing historical, cultural and recreational venues in the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The transportation for the tour between sites will be provided by an authentic English double-decker bus.


WHO:	P. Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Robert Billington, Chairman, John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
WHAT:	Designation of 24 cities and towns in the Blackstone Valley as Preserve America Communities
WHEN:	Friday, June 25, 2004 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:	Tour format with event stops at four locations: 10:30 a.m. at Slater Mill Historic Site in Pawtucket, R.I., 12:00 noon at River Island Park in Woonsocket, R.I., 1:30 p.m. at Sutton Common in Sutton, Mass., and 3:00 p.m. at the Worcester Historical Museum in Worcester, Mass.

Each event will include a welcome to the Assistant Secretary by dignitaries as well as comments provided by those in the community who have been participants in the cultural and historical preservation efforts in the valley. Photo opportunities will be available during the program as the Preserve America designation certificates are presented to the key leaders of each community.

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